U.S. patent application number 11/651958 was filed with the patent office on 2007-07-12 for index image output apparatus and index image output program.
This patent application is currently assigned to FUJIFILM Corporation. Invention is credited to Yosuke Kato.
Application Number | 20070159658 11/651958 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38232472 |
Filed Date | 2007-07-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070159658 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kato; Yosuke |
July 12, 2007 |
Index image output apparatus and index image output program
Abstract
An index image consists of a plurality of thumbnail images
arranged in a matrix array. The thumbnail images are produced from
image data of a series of images. Where the images are recorded as
RAW image data and other format image data within a series, an
index image output apparatus superimposes a rectangular frame image
of a particular color on each of those thumbnail images which are
produced from the RAW image data, to produce a distinguishing
thumbnail image. Then the index image include distinguishing
thumbnail images and ordinary thumbnail images, so it is easy for
the user to distinguish the RAW format images from other images of
other formats.
Inventors: |
Kato; Yosuke; (Kanagawa,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SUGHRUE MION, PLLC
2100 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE, N.W.
SUITE 800
WASHINGTON
DC
20037
US
|
Assignee: |
FUJIFILM Corporation
Minato-ku
JP
|
Family ID: |
38232472 |
Appl. No.: |
11/651958 |
Filed: |
January 11, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
358/3.21 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 1/00453 20130101;
H04N 1/32122 20130101; H04N 2201/325 20130101; H04N 1/387 20130101;
H04N 2201/33378 20130101; H04N 2201/3273 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
358/003.21 |
International
Class: |
H04N 1/40 20060101
H04N001/40 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 12, 2006 |
JP |
2006-005016 |
Claims
1. An index image output apparatus that produces thumbnail images
from a plurality of images recorded as image data files, and
arranges the thumbnail images in an array to form an index image,
said index image output apparatus comprising: a device for
detecting image formats of the respective image data files; and a
device for attaching data representative of the detected image
formats to the thumbnail images of the respective image data files,
if the image formats of the image data files are not the same.
2. An index image output apparatus that produces thumbnail images
from a plurality of images recorded as image data files of at least
first and second image formats, and arranges the thumbnail images
in an array to form an index image, said index image output
apparatus comprising: a device for detecting the image formats of
the respective image data files; and a device for superimposing
distinguishing data on the thumbnail image of each of the image
data files of the first image format, so as to distinguish the
image data files of the first image format from the image data
files of the second and other image formats.
3. An index image output apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein
said distinguishing data is data of a rectangular frame image of a
particular color that is superimposed on marginal or peripheral
areas of the thumbnail image.
4. An index image output apparatus that produces thumbnail images
from a plurality of images recorded as image data files, and
arranges the thumbnail images in an array to form an index image,
said index image output apparatus comprising: an image
distinguishing device that analyzes the respective image data files
to determine whether there are a plurality of images of an
identical subject or not; and a device for attaching distinguishing
data to the thumbnail image of at least one of the images of the
identical subject, said distinguishing data indicating that there
are other images of the same subject as the one image whose
thumbnail image has said distinguishing data attached.
5. An index image output apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein
said image distinguishing device compares image data of the
respective image data files with each other, to determine which
image data files contain images of an identical subject.
6. An index image output apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein
those image data files which record images of an identical subject
are provided with such additional data that indicate that the
images contained in these image data files are identical to each
other, and said image distinguishing device checks if the
respective image data files are provided with said additional
data.
7. An index image output apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein
said image distinguishing device determines whether there are a
plurality of images of an identical subject, based on at least one
of data indicating date and time of each shot, shooting environment
data set according to environmental conditions of each subject and
file names of the respective image data files.
8. An index image output apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein
said distinguishing data is attached to the thumbnail image of a
representative one of the images of the identical subject, and the
thumbnail images of other of the images of the identical subject
are excluded from the index image.
9. An index image output apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein
if the images of the identical subject are recorded in different
formats, including RAW format, the image recorded in RAW format is
chosen as said representative image.
10. An index image output apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein
said distinguishing data is data of a rectangular frame image of a
particular color that is superimposed on marginal or peripheral
areas of the thumbnail image.
11. An index image output program for outputting an index image,
said program making a computer work as a device for producing
thumbnail images from a plurality of images recorded as image data
files; a device for detecting image formats of the respective image
data files; a device for attaching data representative of the
detected image formats to the thumbnail images of the respective
image data files, if there are image data files of different image
formats from each other; and a device for arranging the thumbnail
images in an array to form an index image.
12. An index image output program for outputting an index image,
said index image output program making a computer work as a device
for producing thumbnail images from a plurality of images recorded
as image data files; a device for analyzing the respective image
data files to determine whether there are a plurality of images of
an identical subject; a device for attaching distinguishing data to
the thumbnail image of at least one of the images of the identical
subject, said distinguishing data indicating that there are other
images of the same subject as the one image whose thumbnail image
has said distinguishing data attached; and a device for arranging
the thumbnail images in an array to form an index image.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates an index image output
apparatus and an index image output program, for outputting an
index image which contains a list of images as an array of
thumbnails of these images.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Photo shops or photo-labs usually forwards an index photo
print as a giveaway to the customer together with a series of photo
prints made from images photographed on a photo filmstrip, or from
image data captured by a digital camera. The index photo print
contains a matrix-arranged thumbnails or compressed images of the
corresponding series of photo prints, so that the customer may
glance over the printed images. The index photo print is convenient
for the customer on ordering reprinting. That is, the index photo
print makes it easier to designate which image to reprint, how many
reprints are to be made, in what size the reprint is to be made,
and so on. Since the thumbnails roughly show the finish of the
photo prints, the index photo print is also useful for the customer
to ask the photo shop or photo-lab for improvement or modification
of the print quality.
[0003] Meanwhile, on recording the captured image data in a storage
medium, such as a memory card, conventional digital cameras
compress image data, for example, according to the JPEG format,
thereby to reduce the data size and thus save the requisite memory
capacity. However, the JPEG compression involves degradation of the
image quality due to block noises and the like. Therefore, when the
image data after being compressed according to the JPEG format is
processed and subjected to the JPEG compression again, the image
quality is still more damaged.
[0004] Recently, memory cards get such storage capacity that they
are capable of recording image data without compressing it. For
example, RAW image data is obtained by digitalizing original image
signals that are output from an imaging device, without processing
the image signals for gradation and color correction. Although the
size of the RAW image data is multiple of the size of the
JPEG-compressed image data, the RAW image data allows printing a
high quality image even in an enlarged print size, and degradation
of the image quality is reduced to the minimum even after the image
data goes through the fine-control of the image quality.
[0005] Therefore, some digital camera allows the user to choose
whether to record the image data in the JPEG-compressed format or
in the RAW format. Where the memory card stores the JPEG-compressed
image data and the RAW image data in a mixed condition, it is
desirable for the photographer or customer to discriminate the
captured images between the JPEG image data and the RAW image data,
especially on ordering the printing, because it is preferable to
use the RAW image data for making a big size print. However, with
the conventional index photo print, it is impossible to know from
the thumbnails which of the images are recorded in the JPEG format
and which ones are recorded in the RAW format.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] In view of the foregoing, a primary object of the present
invention is to provide an index image output apparatus and an
index image output program, which produce thumbnail images from a
plurality of images recorded as image data files, and arranges the
thumbnail images in an array to form an index image that contains
such thumbnail images that permit discrimination between image data
files of different formats.
[0007] Another object of the present invention is to provide an
index image output apparatus and an index image output program,
which produce an index image that contains such thumbnail images
that permit distinguishing those images which contain an identical
subject.
[0008] According to the present invention, an index image output
apparatus comprises a device for detecting image formats of the
respective image data files; and a device for attaching data
representative of the detected image formats to the thumbnail
images of the respective image data files, if the image formats of
the image data files are not the same.
[0009] According to present invention, another index image output
apparatus comprises a device for detecting the image formats of the
respective image data files; and a device for superimposing
distinguishing data on the thumbnail image of each of the image
data files of the first image format, so as to distinguish the
image data files of the first image format from the image data
files of the second and other image formats.
[0010] According to the present invention, still another index
image output apparatus comprises an image distinguishing device
that analyzes the respective image data files to determine whether
there are a plurality of images of an identical subject or not; and
a device for attaching distinguishing data to the thumbnail image
of at least one of the images of the identical subject, the
distinguishing data indicating that there are other images of the
same subject as the one image whose thumbnail image has the
distinguishing data attached.
[0011] The image distinguishing device may compares image data of
the respective image data files with each other, to determine which
image data files contain images of an identical subject.
[0012] It is possible to provide those image data files which
record images of an identical subject with such additional data
that indicate that the images contained in these image data files
are identical to each other. In that case, the image distinguishing
device checks if the respective image data files are provided with
the additional data.
[0013] The image distinguishing device may determine whether there
are a plurality of images of an identical subject, based on at
least one of data indicating date and time of each shot, shooting
environment data set according to environmental conditions of each
subject and file names of the respective image data files.
[0014] According to a preferred embodiment, the distinguishing data
is attached to the thumbnail image of a representative one of the
images of the identical subject, and the thumbnail images of other
of the images of the identical subject are excluded from the index
image. If the images of the identical subject are recorded in
different formats, including RAW format, the image recorded in RAW
format is preferably chosen as the representative image.
[0015] The distinguishing data is preferably data of a rectangular
frame image of a particular color that is superimposed on marginal
or peripheral areas of the thumbnail image.
[0016] According to the present invention, an index image output
program makes a computer work as a device for producing thumbnail
images from a plurality of images recorded as image data files; a
device for detecting image formats of the respective image data
files; a device for attaching data representative of the detected
image formats to the thumbnail images of the respective image data
files, if there are image data files of different image formats
from each other; and a device for arranging the thumbnail images in
an array to form an index image.
[0017] According to the present invention, another index image
output program makes a computer work as a device for producing
thumbnail images from a plurality of images recorded as image data
files; a device for analyzing the respective image data files to
determine whether there are a plurality of images of an identical
subject; a device for attaching distinguishing data to the
thumbnail image of at least one of the images of the identical
subject, the distinguishing data indicating that there are other
images of the same subject as the one image whose thumbnail image
has the distinguishing data attached; and a device for arranging
the thumbnail images in an array to form an index image.
[0018] According to the present invention, the image formats of the
respective image data files are determined, and if there are
different image formats, data representative of the determined
image formats are attached to the thumbnail images of the
respective image data files. Thus, it is easy to discriminate
between the images recorded in different image formats, e.g.
between the RAW images and the JPEG images.
[0019] Since those image data files which record image data of an
identical subject are determined, and distinguishing data is
attached to these image data files, it is easy to distinguish those
images which are captured simultaneously from an identical subject.
Thus, it is easy to detect that image data of an identical subject
is recorded both in RAW format and JPEG format, or that a plurality
of images are captured simultaneously from an identical subject
through successive exposures or auto bracket exposures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] The above and other objects and advantages of the present
invention will be more apparent from the following detailed
description of the preferred embodiments when read in connection
with the accompanied drawings, wherein like reference numerals
designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views,
and wherein:
[0021] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a computer system
which the present invention is applied to;
[0022] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating how a
distinguishing thumbnail image is produced;
[0023] FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of
an index image;
[0024] FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating a sequence of producing
an index image;
[0025] FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating a sequence of producing
an index image, according to a second embodiment of the present
invention;
[0026] FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating how a distinguishing
thumbnail image is produced in the second embodiment;
[0027] FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of
an index image produced in the second embodiment;
[0028] FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a structure of
an image data file;
[0029] FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of
a distinguishing thumbnail image according to a third embodiment of
the present invention; and
[0030] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of
a distinguishing thumbnail image according to a fourth embodiment
of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0031] In FIG. 1, a computer system 10 is provided with a computer
body 13 and an image data input device 14 for inputting image data
files in the computer body 13. The computer body 13 is provided
with a CPU 11 and a storage device 12. Although it is not
illustrated in the drawings, the image data input device 14 is
provided with a film scanner for reading photographic images from
developed photo filmstrips, a memory card reader for reading image
data files from memory cards that store the image data as captured
by digital cameras or the like, an optical disc drive for reading
image data files from optical discs like CD-ROM, and other kinds of
data reading devices. The image data files input in the computer
body 13 are memorized in the storage device 12.
[0032] A photo printer 15 is connected to the computer body 13, so
that the photo printer 15 prints images on photographic paper based
on the image data files output from the computer body 13.
Concretely, the photo printer 15 exposes the photographic paper
based on the image data files, processes the exposed photographic
paper for development, washes and dries the developed photographic
paper, to produce photo prints.
[0033] The storage device 12 stores a system program. The CPU 11
executes the system program, thereby causing the computer body 13
to function as an image processing device including an image
processor 20. The CPU 11 also causes the computer body 13 to
function as an index image output apparatus that is constituted of
an image format discriminator 21, a thumbnail image producer 22, a
distinguishing image superimposing section 23 and an index image
output section 24.
[0034] The image processor 20 processes the image data files
through gradation conversion, color conversion and the like, to
correct the quality of images printed by the photo printer 15. The
image processor 20 also carries out a format conversion process for
converting RAW image data files, the image data recorded in the RAW
format files, which may be included in the input image data files,
into image data files of an ordinary format. This process is called
a digital image development.
[0035] The RAW image data file contains such image data that is
obtained by digitalizing original image signals, which are output
from an imaging device of a digital camera or the like, without
subjecting them to the gradation conversion and color conversion.
Therefore, the RAW image data file contains information on the
original gradation of the optical image of the subject as detected
through the imaging device. Because of its huge data size, the RAW
image data file is practically compressed according to a lossless
compression format that is standardized by each individual digital
camera maker.
[0036] The image processor 20 expands the compressed RAW image data
file, and converts the RAW image, which has 12-bit gradation
information (4096 tonal levels) for each of the three primary
colors: red, green and blue, into uncompressed image of a general
image format, wherein gradation information is expressed in 8-bit
(256 tonal levels) for each of the three primary colors. Note that
the image processor 20 converts the RAW image into the general
format image after correcting the image quality. For example,
gradation and white-balance are corrected so as to compensate for
over- or under exposure at the imaging device, and for a difference
in color-sensitivity between human eyes and image sensors of the
imaging device.
[0037] The image format discriminator 21 analyzes header data of
each image data file and its extension of file name, to determine
image format of the image data file. Then, the image format
discriminator 21 discriminates images of the RAW format from ones
of other formats, such as JPEG, EXIF, TIFF and so forth. The
thumbnail image producer 22 produces a thumbnail image from each of
the input image data files. The thumbnail image is an image that is
reduced in size by converting the input image data to have a lower
resolution, and is used for producing an index image, as set forth
later in detail.
[0038] The distinguishing image superimposing section 23
superimposes a distinguishing image on each of those thumbnail
images which are produced from the RAW image, in order to
distinguish the RAW images from other format images. So the
thumbnail image with the distinguishing image indicates that the
corresponding image is recorded as the RAW image data file.
[0039] FIG. 2 shows an example of distinguishing image 30, which is
an image of a rectangular frame of a particular color, e.g. red,
and indicia "RAW" is provided inside the rectangular frame. The
distinguishing image 30 is previously stored and superimposed on a
thumbnail image 31 that is produced from the RAW image. The
distinguishing image superimposing section 23 superimposes the
distinguishing image 30 on the thumbnail image 31, to produce a
distinguishing thumbnail image 32 that contains the thumbnail image
31 in a rectangular red frame, and is marked with the indicia
"RAW".
[0040] The index image output section 24 produces an index image
35, as shown for example in FIG. 3, from the thumbnail images 31
produced by the thumbnail image producer 22, and from the
distinguishing thumbnail images 32 as well if the input image data
files include the RAW image data files. The index image output
section 24 decides the order of matrix arrangement of the thumbnail
images to form the index image 35, for example, depending upon the
order of file names of the input image data files. Thus, the index
image 35 contains the distinguishing thumbnail images 32 for the
RAW image data files, and the ordinary thumbnail images 31 for the
image data files of other format.
[0041] Now the operation of the embodiment configured as above will
be described with reference to the flow chart of FIG. 4. When the
CPU 11 executes the system program stored in the storage device 12,
the computer body 13 functions as the image processing device and
the index image output apparatus. When a developed photo filmstrip
is set in the image data input device 14, the film scanner scans
the photo filmstrip to read the photographed images, converts the
read images into image data, and inputs the image data in the
computer body 13. When a storage medium storing image data files,
such as a memory card or an optical disc, is set in the image data
input device 14, the image data files are read out from the storage
medium and fed to the computer body 13.
[0042] The CPU 11 memorizes the input image data files in the
storage device 12. When all of the image data files are completely
input in the computer body 13, the CPU 11 starts reading the image
data files seriatim from the storage device 12, to determine the
format of each image data file in the image format discriminator
21. The image format discriminator 21 analyzes the file extension
and the header data of each image data file, to discriminate the
RAW image data files from other format image data files.
[0043] The image processor 20 carries out the digital image
development of the RAW image data files, whereby the compressed RAW
image data files are expanded and subjected to the gradation and
color conversion processes for controlling image quality. The
thumbnail image producer 22 produces a thumbnail image from each of
the image data files. Note that an image data file of the EXIF
format includes image data of its thumbnail in the file, so the
thumbnail image producer 22 just extracts the thumbnail image data
from the EXIF image data file. From other format image data files,
the thumbnail image producer 22 produces the thumbnail image data
by reducing the resolution of the image to about one-quarter of the
original one.
[0044] After determining the formats of the respective image data
files, the CPU 11 checks if there are the RAW image data files and
other format image data files in the input image data files. If it
is determined that the entire input image data files are of the RAW
format, or of other formats than the RAW format, the index image
output section 24 produces an index image that contains ordinary
thumbnail images 31 alone. Data of the index image is output to the
photo printer 15, so the photo printer 15 makes an index photo
print containing ordinary thumbnail images 31 alone.
[0045] On the contrary, if there are the RAW image data files and
other format image data files, the distinguishing image
superimposing section 23 produces a distinguishing thumbnail image
32 for each of the RAW image data files by superimposing the
distinguishing image 30 on the thumbnail image 31 of the RAW image
data.
[0046] Using the distinguishing thumbnail images 32 for the RAW
image and the ordinary thumbnail images 31 for the other format
images, the index image output section 24 produces an index image,
as shown for example by 35 in FIG. 3, after deciding the
arrangement of the respective thumbnail images within the index
image. Then the index image output section 24 outputs data of the
index image to the photo printer 15, so the photo printer 15 makes
an index photo print that contains the index image 35 consisting of
the distinguishing thumbnail images 32 and the ordinary thumbnail
images 31. Since the distinguishing thumbnail images 32 show that
the corresponding image data files are recorded in the RAW format,
it becomes easy for the customer to order photo prints from the RAW
image data files only.
[0047] Although the distinguishing thumbnail image 32 is produced
for the RAW image in the above embodiment, it is alternatively
possible to produce an ordinary thumbnail image for the RAW image
while producing a distinguishing thumbnail image for another format
image. The present invention is not limited to producing an index
image that distinguishes the RAW images from other format images.
It is possible to produce an index image that allows discrimination
between image data of lossy-compression formats involving image
degradation, such as JPEG and EXIF, and image data pf lossless
formats involving less or no image degradation, such as RAW and
uncompressed TIFF.
[0048] Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be
described. In the second embodiment, such a digital camera is used
that can record an image captured at one exposure different data
formats, e.g. as a couple of image data files of the RAW format and
JPEG format. In the second embodiment, equivalent elements are
designated by the same reference numerals as in the first
embodiment, so detailed description of these elements will be
omitted to avoid redundancy.
[0049] When the image data files recorded by the above digital
camera are input, an index image output apparatus produces ordinary
thumbnail images 31 from the respective image data files. After
producing the thumbnail images 31, images of the respective image
data files are analyzed to check if there are a number of images
containing an identical subject. If any of the image data files do
not contain the same image, an index image consisting of the
ordinary thumbnail images 31 is produced.
[0050] If, on the contrary, an image captured by the digital camera
is recorded double as a RAW image data file and a JPEG image data
file, image data of these image data files represent the same image
of an identical subject. In that case, as shown in FIG. 5, a
distinguishing image 40 is superimposed on the ordinary thumbnail
image 31 that is produced from the RAW image data file of the same
image as the JPEG image data file. Thus, a distinguishing thumbnail
image 41 is produced. The RAW image data file and the JPEG image
data file of the identical subject are given file names with
successive serial numbers, wherein the RAW image data file is
numbered first in every couple. Thus, it is possible to
discriminate between the RAW image data and the JPEG image data of
the identical subject, and superimpose the distinguishing image 40
merely on the thumbnail image of the RAW image.
[0051] When all the images of the image data files have gone
through the above analysis, an index image 45 is produced from the
distinguishing thumbnail images 41 and the ordinary thumbnail
images 31, as shown in FIG. 6. At that time, such ordinary
thumbnail images that represent the same images as the
distinguishing thumbnail images 41 are excluded from the index
image 45. That is, if there are RAW image data and JPEG image data
of an identical subject, an ordinary thumbnail image produced from
the JPEG image data is not used for producing the index image 45,
and only the distinguishing thumbnail image 41 that is produced
from the thumbnail image of the RAW image data and the
distinguishing image 40 is adopted in the index image 45. Thus, the
index image 45 avoids duplication of such thumbnail images that
represent the same content. Omitting redundant thumbnail images
saves space for printing an index print.
[0052] Data of the index image 45 is outputted to the photo printer
15, to produce an index print. Since the distinguishing thumbnail
image 41 shows that the image represented by this thumbnail image
41 is recorded simultaneously as RAW image data and JPEG image
data, it is obvious from the index print what kinds of formats are
used for recording the respective images.
[0053] It is possible to use another distinguishing image, like the
distinguishing image 30 shown in FIG. 2, for distinguishing such an
image that is recorded only in a particular format, e.g. as a RAW
image, from an image that is recorded simultaneously as a RAW image
and a JPEG image. In that case, the image recorded in the RAW
format only is represented by a distinguishing thumbnail image 32
fringed with a single frame, while the image recorded both in the
RAW and JPEG formats is represented by the distinguishing thumbnail
image 41 fringed with the double-frame distinguishing image 40, and
the image recorded in the JPEG format is represented by the
ordinary thumbnail image 31.
[0054] It is alternatively possible to produce a distinguishing
thumbnail image 60 as shown in FIG. 7, that shows that an identical
subject is recorded as images of different formats, e.g. as a RAW
image and a JPEG image. In that case, the distinguishing thumbnail
image 60 includes indicia indicating the different image data
formats.
[0055] Application of the present invention is not limited to the
above-described cases where a series of images are recorded in
different data formats from each other, or images of an identical
subject are recorded simultaneously in different data formats. The
present invention is also applicable to the successive exposures
where a plurality of images are captured from a subject
successively at one shot and are recorded in the same format, or to
the auto bracket exposures where a plurality of images are captured
successively from a subject while changing exposure conditions. In
those cases, it is mostly useless to arrange thumbnail images of
all the successively captured images on an index image. It is
rather preferable to select a representative image from among the
successive images, and produce a distinguishing thumbnail image 61
by superimposing a distinguishing image or indicia indicating that
this is a series of successive images on a thumbnail image of the
representative image, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9.
[0056] In the above embodiment, the image data of the respective
image data files are subjected to the analysis for detecting such
images that contain an identical subject. However, the image
analysis needs comparing individual pixels of the respective images
to one another, to extract coincident pixel areas. Therefore, as
for high-resolution images, it takes a long time for detecting
coincidence of the subjects. To avoid this problem, it is possible
to integrate data of simultaneous shots in respective image data
files which record those images captured simultaneously from an
identical subject. Note that the simultaneously shot images can be
ones taken through successive exposures and recorded in the same
format, or taken at one exposure and recorded in different formats.
By checking the simultaneous shot data, the index image output
apparatus can determine whether a plurality of images of an
identical subject exit or not, without the need for comparing the
image data between the image data files.
[0057] FIG. 10 shows an example of a file structure of an image
data file 50. The image data file 50 mainly consists of a start
code 51, an additional data area 52, an image data area 53 and a
stop code 54. The start code 51 consists of basic data, including
data relating to the type and name of the image data file 50, and
data for defining image format. The additional data area 52
consists of data of the date and time of each shot and data of
shooting environment, which are attached by the digital camera on
producing the image data file 50. The shooting environment data
includes data of the camera type, data of exposure conditions like
a shutter speed and an exposure value, and data of image-processing
done by the digital camera. The image data area 53 is a main area
of the image data and consists of data of tonal values of
individual pixels. The stop code 54 is data indicating the end of
the image data file.
[0058] To integrate the simultaneous shot data into the image data
file of each of the simultaneously shot images, the additional data
area 52 is utilized. The simultaneous shot data for aseries of
simultaneously shot images should preferably be different from one
for another series of simultaneously shot images, so as to avoid
confusion between different series. The simultaneous shot data may
alternatively be a flag. In that case, of the image data files
having the flag, the date and time data and/or the shooting
environment data is compared with each other, to sort out those
image data files which record a series of simultaneously shot
images of an identical subject. As for those digital cameras which
give file names of successive serial numbers, or the same file name
with different file extensions to a series of different format
images of an identical subject, it is possible to discriminate the
images of an identical subject based on their file names. That is,
even where there are a plurality of RAW images and JPEG images or
where there are a plurality of series of simultaneously shot
images, images of an identical subject may be discriminated with
high accuracy, by comparing the data of date and time of each shot,
the shooting environmental data and the file names of these
images.
[0059] Although the present invention has been described with
respect to the preferred embodiments, the present invention is not
to be limited to the above embodiments but, on the contrary,
various modifications will be possible without departing from the
scope of claims appended hereto.
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